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Lancaster council approves funding fixes, infrastructure contracts and easements; AARP accessibility grant passes 9-1
Summary
Council passed a slate of mainly procedural measures March 23, 2026, including a NOPEC lighting grant for City Hall, a $5,983.66 correction in the Water Fund, authorization for a Frederick Street sewer-separation contract required by the Ohio EPA, and permanent easements to Ohio Power Company; the AARP Community Challenge grant authorization drew a 9-1 vote after questions about liability for city-owned accessibility ramps.
Lancaster City Council approved a series of mostly noncontroversial resolutions and ordinances March 23, 2026, including grant acceptance, budget corrections, infrastructure contracts and permanent easements for utility work.
Highlights of council action:
- Temporary Resolution 25-26 (NOPEC grant): Passed 10-0. Mr. Schoonover said the grant funds will be used to upgrade lighting in City Hall.
- Temporary Resolution 27-26 (Water Fund correction): Passed 10-0. Mr. Bizjak explained the measure transfers $5,983.66 from the Water Department’s administration salary line to the retirement benefits line to correct a prior appropriation error.
- Temporary Resolution 28-26 (Frederick Street sewer separation): Passed 10-0. Mr. Bizjak said the construction is mandated by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and authorizes the Service-Safety Director to enter into the necessary contract.
- Temporary Resolution 31-26 (Fire uniform allowance): Passed 10-0. The measure provides $4,800 to purchase four fire uniforms tied to a recent promotion.
- Temporary Resolution 32-26 (Arbor Valley Drive improvements): Council suspended rules and passed the resolution 10-0; Mr. Carr said the funding package includes a contribution from the city schools to support the Arbor Valley Drive improvement program.
- Temporary Resolution 34-26 (AARP Community Challenge grant): Passed 9-1 after discussion. Mr. Schoonover said the grant would improve handicap access for local businesses but Mr. Knisley objected to the city owning ramps on private property and raised liability concerns; Mr. Knisley said private businesses should be responsible for ownership and maintenance.
- Ordinance 4-26 (supplemental easements to Ohio Power Company): Passed 10-0. Ms. Smiley explained four supplemental permanent easements are required to complete transmission updates concentrated on the south side of Lancaster (Logan-Lancaster Road, US 33 and Homsmill Road).
Several items were on first or second reading and were not decided, including Temporary Resolution 35-26 (East Sixth Avenue bridge replacement) and Temporary Resolution 39-26 (South Water Treatment Plant design-build authorization), which council introduced for later consideration.
Motions were made, seconded and recorded for each passed item; where noted, council waived additional readings to expedite action. Council adjourned at approximately 7:11 p.m.
